Ontario County Agriculture Leaders Honored

     Four outstanding agriculture leaders were honored at the Ontario County Agriculture Appreciation Banquet on March 18 at Club 86 in Geneva.
     The Rodney Lightfoote Agricultural Innovation Award was presented to John Lincoln of Bloomfield. John acquired his interest in raising Guernsey cattle in his youth through his 4-H project. Linholm Farm, home of registered Holsteins, is a viable family farm developed by the John Lincoln family. John was recognized for his leadership in town, county and state organizations. He is currently President of New York Farm Bureau, where he has had influence on agricultural issues from state-wide to global.
     The Lightfoote Award serves as a perpetual memorial in honor of the late Rodney Lightfoote (1920-2002), former Agriculture Program Leader and Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, one of the original founders of Ontario County Farm Bureau, farmer and friend of agriculture. Fred Lightfoote presented the award to John Lincoln.
     Julie Maslyn of Farmington was honored with the Jackie Kunes Award. The Ontario County Farm Bureau established this award as a tribute to the late Jackie Kunes (1937-1977), the first woman president of Ontario County Farm Bureau, a distinguished and devoted leader in the industry, her family business and the community. Jackie Kunes' son, Casey Kunes, presented the award to Julie, who raises the replacement heifers for her families' herd. She is also active in Farm Bureau, as Pro-Ed Chair and past co-chair with her husband, Pete, on the Young Farmers Committee for Ontario County Farm Bureau. She is the coordinator for Fun on the Farm.
     The Paul Zimmerman Outstanding Young Farmer Award was presented to Steve Walker of Seneca Castle. Steve is partner on the Hemdale Farm in Seneca Castle. He was involved with 4-H as a youth. Since his graduation from Cornell, where he graduated 1st in his class, he has had a broad career in agriculture. He is on several advisory committees and has been a presenter at the International Dairy Foods Dairy Forum and guest lecturer at Cornell and SUNY Morrisville. He previously served as membership chairperson for Ontario County Farm Bureau Board.
     The Outstanding Young Farmer Award is named in memory of Paul Zimmerman (1929-1977) who was an extra ordinary young leader and innovative farmer in Ontario County. He served as president of Ontario County Farm Bureau in 1975-1976. Carol Buckhout, Paul's daughter, made the presentation.
     The Ralph Jerome Scholarship was presented to Samantha Wickham of Stanley. She graduated from Marcus Whitman, where she was class president, active in sports, National Honor Society, and her church youth group. Her involvement in the family pumpkin and farm market business and her work on Empire Farm Days has broadened her knowledge of the vast opportunities that exist in agriculture. Samantha attends Cornell University.
     This scholarship is in memory of Ralph Jerome (1920-1992) who was a dedicated Naples farmer and industry advocate. To celebrate his love for farming and to encourage others to enter into an agricultural career, a $500 scholarship is awarded each year to an outstanding Ontario County high school senior enrolling in an agriculture college. Rich Jerome, Ralph's son, acknowledged Samantha as the scholarship winner.
     Daniel Fessenden, Executive Director of the Cornell Agriculture & Food Technology Park, addressed the gathering of about 140 producers, researchers, educators, county officials and town legislators. His remarks focused on the potential opportunities for agriculture in the area of new technologies.
     Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, Ontario County Farm Bureau and Ontario County Agriculture Enhancement Board are sponsors of the annual event.
     "Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities."

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